At the conclusion of the Second Summit on Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (REAIM 2024) in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on 10 September 2024, the Republic of Kenya was ly announced and confirmed as the host country for the Fourth Summit (REAIM 2027) in Nairobi.
This landmark decision marks the first time that the premier global intergovernmental forum on responsible military artificial intelligence will convene on the African continent and in the Global South. The formal handover was delivered jointly by the outgoing co-hosts—the Republic of Korea, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
Kenya was a core co-host of REAIM 2024 in Seoul, where the Kenyan delegation—led by the and Kenya's Special Envoy on Technology, Ambassador Philip Thigo—advocated strongly for equitable Capacity and Capability, digital sovereignty, and the universal application of international humanitarian law (IHL).
Speaking during the handover session in Seoul, Ambassador Thigo noted:
"Artificial intelligence is transforming defence architectures and strategic balance across the globe. As host for REAIM 2027, Kenya is dedicated to bridging the global capability divide, ensuring that emerging economies and the Global South have an equal voice in shaping norms, standards, and institutional safeguards that protect human agency and global peace."
The Fourth Summit will convene Heads of State, Defence Ministers, military chiefs, artificial intelligence researchers, defence innovators, and civil society leaders at the Bomas International Conference Centre (BICC) in Nairobi on 14–15 April 2027. Preparations are coordinated by the National Host Secretariat based at Defence Headquarters, Ulinzi House, Nairobi.
Media Accreditation & Press Enquiries
Accredited journalists, broadcasters and correspondents covering REAIM 2027 may submit interview requests or access briefing assets via the Media Accreditation Portal or by contacting reaim2027@mod.go.ke.